643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion

Motto: "Hit Hard"

Unit History: Redesignated from the 43d Infantry Division’s Antitank Battalion (Provisional) on 3 December, 1941, and activated at Camp Blanding, Florida, on 15 December. Arrived at Cherbourg, France, on 15 September, 1944, equipped with towed guns. First engaged near Manhay, Belgium, on 22 December, 1944. Crossed the Roer River on 24 February, 1945. Re-equipped with M18's in March 1945, crossed the Rhine River at Wesel and the Elbe River en route to Zerbst. Withdrawn to take up occupation duties in the Harz Mountains. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

1.) Pages Dedicated to the 643rd. A good friend of mine and fellow Tank Destroyer researcher, Ben Savelkoul of the Netherlands, has collected information on many TD units. One unit in particular is the 643rd, which Ben not only has a listing of the unit's key dates in history, but also a nice group of photos, a listing of their fallen soldiers, some write-ups on a few actions of the unit and some more extensive information on a number of the men of the unit.

3.) Company A Group Photo - Taken in the fall of 1945, at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA, after the unit had returned from overseas duty. Provided courtesy of Jack Hilliard, who, since he had enough points, had already been discharged and is not in the photo. The rest of his crew is in the photo, Cliff Guyette, Gordon Lugten, Frank Dodd and Frank McNulty. Page two includes the names of the men and was originally provided by William Fahey. WARNING LARGE FILE

4.) Company A Group Photo - Taken in August of 1942, while the unit was stationed at Camp Shelby in Mississippi. The photo was provided to me courtesy of Ben Savelkoul but was originally donated by Michael Warne, whose wife's uncle, Pfc. John Clanton, served in A Company.

5.) HQ Company Photo - Taken on August 18, 1944, at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. Page two is a listing of the men in the photo. Provided courtesy of Dennis Ambruso.

6.) After Action Reports - from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas (**).

10.) Christmas Menu 1943 - A menu with roster of men from HQ Company and Medical Detachment from their 1943 Christmas celebration. At the time they were stationed at Camp Gruber, OK. It would be almost a year later until they would land in France. Courtesy of Ben Savelkoul.

12.) Hellcats Don't Leak Oil, They Mark Their Territory! - Book written by Lester R. King about his unit and their experiences across Germany. Lester was an Assistant Gunner and a member of the Second Platoon of A Company, 643rd TD Bn. It was published by Trafford Publishing in 2006 and has 268 pages. We do have a copy of the book and would be happy to provide you with information upon request. Just send us an email with your question/s.